Kim Lightfordhttp://wuis.org
enTime Running Out For Families, Day Care Providershttp://wuis.org/post/time-running-out-families-day-care-providers
<p>Child care providers who accept a state subsidy are “trying to hold on,” as one provider says. Funding for the Child Care Assistance Program dried up last month. Many of them converged on the state Capitol building Thursday to urge legislators and the governor to fund the program through June, the end of the state’s fiscal year.</p><p>The rally comes a day after Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner gave his first budget address, acknowledging the costs of having the program run out of money. “Families are worried about how to care for their children,” Rauner said.</p>Fri, 20 Feb 2015 18:22:20 +0000Rhonda Gillespie 43693 at http://wuis.orgTime Running Out For Families, Day Care ProvidersHouse Adjourns For Good ... ? http://wuis.org/post/house-adjourns-good
<p>The Illinois House has adjourned its two-year legislative session for good, without a vote&nbsp;on a minimum wage hike - meaning that Representatives will not be back in Springfield before Republican Gov.-elect Bruce Rauner takes over. &nbsp;But backers of an increase are raising the possibility that the proposal isn't quite dead yet.</p><p></p>Wed, 03 Dec 2014 22:07:05 +0000Amanda Vinicky38213 at http://wuis.orgHouse Adjourns For Good ... ? Businesses Get Tax Break With New Minimum Wage Planhttp://wuis.org/post/businesses-get-tax-break-new-minimum-wage-plan
<p>A revamped statewide minimum wage hike is in the works, following Chicago's passage of one for the city. As the legislative session nears its end, specifics are developing.</p><p></p><p><span style="line-height: 1.5;">Backers of a higher minimum wage are doing what they can to get it through the General Assembly.</span></p>Tue, 02 Dec 2014 23:57:55 +0000Amanda Vinicky38161 at http://wuis.orgBusinesses Get Tax Break With New Minimum Wage PlanLatest Minimum Wage Hike Goes To Elevenhttp://wuis.org/post/latest-minimum-wage-hike-goes-eleven
<p>The sponsor of a minimum wage hike says she'll push to get it passed during the legislature's veto session, which began today, Tues. Nov. 19.</p><p></p><p><span style="line-height: 1.5;">Sen. Kim </span>Lightford<span style="line-height: 1.5;">, a Democrat from Maywood, pointed to the results of a non-binding referendum. Sixty-seven percent of Illinois voters said “yes," Illinois should raise its minimum wage to $10 an hour by Jan. 1, 2015. The current rate is $8.25.</span></p>Wed, 19 Nov 2014 20:43:10 +0000Amanda Vinicky37356 at http://wuis.orgLatest Minimum Wage Hike Goes To ElevenLegislation Would Make Charter Schools Follow State Law On Special Ed, ELLhttp://wuis.org/post/legislation-would-make-charter-schools-follow-state-law-special-ed-ell
<p>The Illinois General Assembly has approved legislation intended to make charter schools follow state laws for special education. But some lawmakers see this as the latest attack on charter schools.</p><p><span style="line-height: 1.5;">&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>Charter schools already have to follow federal laws on special education and for students who are just learning English. But according to the Illinois State Board of Education, a "handful" say they were exempt from stricter state requirements.</p>Thu, 05 Jun 2014 11:00:00 +0000Brian Mackey26654 at http://wuis.orgLegislation Would Make Charter Schools Follow State Law On Special Ed, ELLQuinn Supports Minimum Wage Referendumhttp://wuis.org/post/quinn-supports-minimum-wage-referendum
<p>Gov. Pat Quinn says he supports asking voters whether Illinois' minimum wage ought to be raised to $10 an hour.</p><p>The state Senate approved that question today for the November ballot.</p><p>Senator Kimberly Lightford, a Democrat from Maywood, says polling shows support for the hike across the state. She says a ballot question could give lawmakers the push they need.</p>Wed, 28 May 2014 21:02:03 +0000Brian Mackey26120 at http://wuis.orgQuinn Supports Minimum Wage ReferendumMinimum Wage Proposal Clears First Hurdlehttp://wuis.org/post/minimum-wage-proposal-clears-first-hurdle
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5;">&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><span style="line-height: 1.5;">A plan to </span><a href="http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=68&amp;GAID=12&amp;DocTypeID=SB&amp;LegId=69166&amp;SessionID=85&amp;GA=98" style="line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">raise the minimum wage</a><span style="line-height: 1.5;"> in Illinois has cleared its first legislative hurdle. But as it moves through the General Assembly, it continues to draw criticism from business groups.</span></p>Thu, 20 Mar 2014 21:40:08 +0000Hannah Meisel21376 at http://wuis.orgMinimum Wage Proposal Clears First HurdleRalliers Demand Minimum Wage Bumphttp://wuis.org/post/ralliers-demand-minimum-wage-bump
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5;">&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>The battle over raising the minimum wage got lot louder on Wednesday. Several hundred minimum wage workers and union members rallied in the Capitol.</p><p><span style="line-height: 1.5;">A coalition of unions and activist groups lobbied lawmakers and shared their stories of life on minimum wage.</span></p><p>Rachel Bittenbender is 25 and earning $8.25 an hour. She works just shy of full-time at a fast food restaurant in Dixon, near Rockford.</p>Wed, 26 Feb 2014 23:56:42 +0000Hannah Meisel19786 at http://wuis.orgRalliers Demand Minimum Wage BumpShould Students Get Miranda Warnings?http://wuis.org/post/should-students-get-miranda-warnings
<p>Illinois lawmakers are considering what steps police should have to take before questioning kids at school.</p><p>The legislation would basically make police read kids their Miranda rights — that they can remain silent, and anything they say can be used against them in court.</p><p>It would also make police notify parents they have the opportunity to be present during questioning.</p><p>Sen. Kim Lightford, a Democrat from Maywood, calls it a "student bill of rights."</p>Thu, 20 Feb 2014 14:23:44 +0000Brian Mackey19338 at http://wuis.orgShould Students Get Miranda Warnings?Voices In The News 2013http://wuis.org/post/voices-news-2013
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5;">As we get ready to welcome 2014, we thought we’d take a few minutes to reflect on some of the voices in the news this past year in Illinois state politics and government. People in the Capitol were busy with same-sex marriage, medical marijuana, and dozens of other issues. What follows are a few of the more memorable moments.</span></p>Tue, 31 Dec 2013 20:43:22 +0000Brian Mackey16041 at http://wuis.orgVoices In The News 2013Quinn Again Pushes For Minimum Wage Hikehttp://wuis.org/post/quinn-again-pushes-minimum-wage-hike
<p>Gov. Pat Quinn is again making a push for raising Illinois' minimum wage. &nbsp;<br>The Chicago Democrat has been visiting black churches in the Chicago area as he ramps up his 2014 re-election bid. On Sunday, he told congregants at Missionary Baptist Fellowship Church that helping those who live in poverty is a principle as old as the Bible. &nbsp;<br>Illinois last raised the minimum wage in 2010. &nbsp;Mon, 02 Sep 2013 10:21:21 +0000Sean Crawford8226 at http://wuis.orgQuinn Again Pushes For Minimum Wage Hike